California:

Big Wildlife, Humane Society US and 25 other animal welfare and conservation groups recently blocked California's planned black bear hunt expansion! Thank you to all of Big Wildlife's supporters who spoke out against this proposal! For more information, check out this editorial in the LA Times, "Animal welfare: California's black bears dodge another bullet."

Unfortunately, this decision by the Commission does not alter the current practice of permitting the pursuit of bears with hounds - also opposed by a majority of Californians. Dog packs fitted with radio transmitters relentlessly pursue and exhaust bears, killing and mauling any cubs that get in the way. Once a frightened bear has climbed a tree to escape the dogs, many hunters then shoot the cornered animal fatally, while others simply maim the animal so that hounds can attack her when she hits the ground.

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California is one of only 18 states that currently permit the use of hound hunting. Approximately half of the bears killed in the state are killed by dog packs, increasing the risk of bear cubs being pursued, maimed, and eventually orphaned by the hounds.

Although Commissioner Sutton indicated that the "political winds" will keep the bear kill quota at 1,700 for now, the Department has proposed expanding the bear hunt 3 years in a row, and has even gone so far as to propose spring hunting as soon as bears emerge from their dens with dependent cubs. This pattern indicates that California citizens and animal organizations must continue to be diligent in opposing the expanson and working to alter the use of dogs for hunting bears.  http://pllsnrx.com/

New York:

The bill banning trade in bear gallbladder/bile/parts drafted by Born Free USA and endorsed by Big Wildlife was passed by the New York Legislature and is now waiting Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's signature. Please contact the governor and urge him to sign the bill into law today.

Thanks to all Big Wildlife supporters who took action on this issue by urging their Assembly member to co-sponsor this important bill!

The State of Nevada continues to maintain one of the lowest Black Bear populations in the West, yet State officials have now approved hunting this precious species. Big Wildlife is fighting to protect the remaining population of these threatened bears.

The increased number of accidental bear interactions with people - especially during the summer months when more tourists are present - tend create a climate of fear and misunderstanding which lead to violent incidents and unnecessary killings. Locals who are used to living around bears tend to be more mindful of addressing typical bear attractors such as open trash receptacles and unlocked windows and doors, whereas visitors inadvertently attract bears by being less conscious of the importance of these security measures. Bears are very intelligent and adaptive and will forage where there is food, often in campgrounds, parks and cabins. Responsible people learn ways to avoid this, which in turn leaves the curious and otherwise unthreatening bears unharmed.

Also likely fuelling the issue is pressure from hunters eager for the thrill of the 'sport' as well as lucrative opportunities to sell bear products such as gall bladder bile and paws on the Black Market. For this reason, hunters and poachers desperately grasp for reasons to convince the State that culling the bear population is necessary.

"Hunting the bears is not the way to solve the issue of human-bear incidents," says Big Wildlife Director Spencer Lennard.  "Since killing them simply increases conflicts by stressing the remaining population. Trophy hunters tend to go for the largest of the animals, which removes the older individuals therefore leaving a weak and vulnerable population less able to defend themselves and effectively reproduce. This causes long-term destruction of bear populations which are vital to our ecosystem."

A harmonic relationship between bears and humans is possible, if we simply educate our communities in preparedness for potential bear encounters while preserving the natural cycles of the population by eliminating the senseless and prevalent killing by careless hunters.

What You Can Do

Voice your opposition to the cruel and unnecessary practice of bear hunting!

The Nevada Wildlife Commission has already approved this hunt in spite a large public outcry. Voice your opposition by contacting Governor Sandoval and asking that he intervene in the NV bear hunt.

You can also subscribe to the NoBearHuntNV.org email list for updates and further action, as well as voice your opposition on online polls.

Writing letters to the editor is another effective tool to educate the public about the dangers of hunting this fragile population of black bears in Nevada. The Nevada Appeal, Reno Gazette Journal, Sierra Sun, Tahoe Daily Tribune, and North Lake Tahoe Bonanza are currently accepting letters on this issue. For talking points, visit here.

On behalf of all Nevada black bears, we thank you for your compassion and dedication!

Interactions between people and black bears have increased in recent years, due largely to human encroachment into bear habitat, population growth, and other dramatic changes to the environment. Suburban neighborhoods, especially those adjacent to forest habitat, are ideal habitats for bears because they offer food, water, and shelter.

Bears are here to stay. We must learn to peacefully co-exist with our wild neighbors, as this is their home as much as ours. This requires modifying our own behavior so as not to attract or incite unwanted guests. Communities need to take preventive action to head off conflicts by providing information about living with bears to new residents, homeowner associations, schools, and businesses.

Those living in bear country can take these simple and humane steps to prevent conflicts with bears:
· Secure garbage cans and compost piles and clean up fallen fruit.
· Keep animals in at night.
· Don't leave dog or cat food outside.
· Walk your dog on a leash.
· If approached by a bear, make loud noises and make yourself look big. Show your dominance and re-instill the bears natural fear of humans.